Another wonderful story, Rona. I was painfully self-conscious as a teenager, and flirting wasn't an option for me. I envied girls who seemed comfortable around boys. Your keen observation captures my flirting style as a young woman in my twenties and thirties: "Men can tell at a glance that I’m not keen to puff them up … I look like I’d correct his grammar and ask if he really needs that side of fries." I'm more relaxed these days and inclined to connect with people, regardless of gender, which might be construed as flirting at times :)
Flirting is similar to small talk, I think. It's a social lubricant and injects a sense of fun into otherwise stilted or boring situations. Glad you enjoyed the piece.
Your writing is spectacular. AI pictures were gems too.
I never learned to whistle. I once worked for an interior designer. She was very stylish and sophisticated but could she whistle. I think it’s called a taxi whistle using two fingers.
Continue to delight us with your essays. Please and thank you!
I grew up mostly with my grandparents. I learned to flirt with old, old men. To leave my crowd at the Legion (hey, outport Newfoundland, no choices) and go over to ask one of Pop’s friends to dance after his wife no longer could.
My lover (I can’t say boyfriend at my age now, it feels ridiculous) is quite stoic and a bit forbidding to the outsider. No sign of any style of play to him. But not long after we met, a friend’s friend turned to her and remarked, in horror! after he left the room, “They *were flirting*!” We were. And her independent confirmation was enough to make me really try.
Speaking of old men---my high school history teacher told me I had nicer legs than Liberace's piano. My mom had a few of Liberace's albums so it was a semi-relevant, semi-flattering flirty comment that I've never forgotten.
Yes, mine flirts all the time with women young and old. And he does it in such a way as to signal it’s just fun, nothing to worry about. It has stood him in good stead as I recounted in ‘The Great Escape’.
Rona, I always love your quirky way of showing things, so spot on! I wanted to share one of them but I don't know how to restack a quote, I'll have to figure it out. I don't think there's a cut off date for flirting, and I think as we get older it becomes easier in a way because we're less self conscious and also less worried about getting ourselves in trouble. I wasn't much of a flirt at school either as I was shy, but I made up for it in my late teens and early twenties! Ooh I had that flirting thing down to a pat (pat? is that right? sounds right...). Lots of love to you and your lovely doggie! xx
I seem to recall that when I was 13 and probably long after that too, I was bad at flirting because it was so fraught with multiple possibilities. Will he think I like him? Does he like me? Will flirtation lead to something I want? Or don't want? But your story made me realize that I'm pretty good at it now. A 'Seniorish' happily married lady who enjoys laughing and joking around with most everyone I meet. It's a great way to break the ice and get to know someone. We may or may not become friends, but no strings attached.
Flirting for me is a bit like ultra-violet light or gamma rays—I know it exists, but I can never see it. Do you need special glasses or a headset, I wonder? Thank you for making it visible.
Of all the talents my wife has, I get the strangest rush from the wolf whistle she can do with two fingers, any fingers or no fingers. Kim's sister, Lynne, can let out a powerful whistle too (even with her always polished and perfect long nails). Years ago, I was walking down Victoria Street and heard a whistle from across the road. Lynne's whistle is so distinct it could have been her voice calling out to me as she was leaving Terroni's. It's the same whistle my dad used at dusk to call us in when we were down by the pond or playing hide n' go seek across the tracks. My friend Suzanne (a former elementary school principal) impressed me long ago when she personally whistled everyone in at recess. As for sing-song whistling, that drives me nuts but a loud wolf whistle that cuts the silence or traffic---that reminds me of my favourite people. And you don't know how to ride a bike??? Always something to be learned and wowed with here, Rona. A+ on this one. Your book inspired me to finally watch The Big Lebowski!
No flirting for me, I barely could talk to a boy and didn’t have a date until college. My oldest sister, on the other hand, was a big flirt and always had a man in her life from a young age. Love this essay!
You'll appreciate this. Overheard from one of the country club mothers, "And Julie Torti wore a pant suit to the prom." Mixed success for my date as well.
“How old I was at almost 13. I’m younger today than I will ever be. There’s still time to whistle.” I relate to these 3 sentences on such a personal level.
I was born older, cynical and always felt socially awkward. My defensive nature was a shield. Give me a book and leave me to my own devices…especially at 13.
Through counseling I learned that the healthier I became mentally, the more playful and relaxed I became. At 60 years of age, I feel much more comfortable places where it would have been “too people-ly” before. Flirting is an option now!
"I look like I’d correct his grammar and ask if he really needs that side of fries." OMG! This is such a fun and funny essay.
The world needs more fun. Thanks, Jill.
I liked this line: "I Google-checked the conversation...."
Another wonderful story, Rona. I was painfully self-conscious as a teenager, and flirting wasn't an option for me. I envied girls who seemed comfortable around boys. Your keen observation captures my flirting style as a young woman in my twenties and thirties: "Men can tell at a glance that I’m not keen to puff them up … I look like I’d correct his grammar and ask if he really needs that side of fries." I'm more relaxed these days and inclined to connect with people, regardless of gender, which might be construed as flirting at times :)
Flirting is similar to small talk, I think. It's a social lubricant and injects a sense of fun into otherwise stilted or boring situations. Glad you enjoyed the piece.
Agreed!
I'm still flirting at 69. Embarrassingly so (says my husband). Waiters, workmen, shop assistants - if they're cute.....then I can be 16 again....
Oh, so he’s not much of a flirt himself? Maybe he should give it a try.
He's much more discerning than I am!
Your writing is spectacular. AI pictures were gems too.
I never learned to whistle. I once worked for an interior designer. She was very stylish and sophisticated but could she whistle. I think it’s called a taxi whistle using two fingers.
Continue to delight us with your essays. Please and thank you!
Taxi whistle! That's great. With uber--does it still serve a purpose? I've always referred to it as a wolf whistle.
I loved that, Rona.
I grew up mostly with my grandparents. I learned to flirt with old, old men. To leave my crowd at the Legion (hey, outport Newfoundland, no choices) and go over to ask one of Pop’s friends to dance after his wife no longer could.
My lover (I can’t say boyfriend at my age now, it feels ridiculous) is quite stoic and a bit forbidding to the outsider. No sign of any style of play to him. But not long after we met, a friend’s friend turned to her and remarked, in horror! after he left the room, “They *were flirting*!” We were. And her independent confirmation was enough to make me really try.
Old men love to flirt and many have a knack for it. My husband often remarks on how well he'd fare with women if he could relive his youth.
Speaking of old men---my high school history teacher told me I had nicer legs than Liberace's piano. My mom had a few of Liberace's albums so it was a semi-relevant, semi-flattering flirty comment that I've never forgotten.
Great line. I hope Kim repeats it.
Yes, mine flirts all the time with women young and old. And he does it in such a way as to signal it’s just fun, nothing to worry about. It has stood him in good stead as I recounted in ‘The Great Escape’.
"Just fun" is the key.
Rona, I always love your quirky way of showing things, so spot on! I wanted to share one of them but I don't know how to restack a quote, I'll have to figure it out. I don't think there's a cut off date for flirting, and I think as we get older it becomes easier in a way because we're less self conscious and also less worried about getting ourselves in trouble. I wasn't much of a flirt at school either as I was shy, but I made up for it in my late teens and early twenties! Ooh I had that flirting thing down to a pat (pat? is that right? sounds right...). Lots of love to you and your lovely doggie! xx
Thank you, Francesca. Yes, so many things get easier as age knocks the rough edges off.I share quotes by copying and pasting—much easier.
1. I didn't see Hal Lupino coming either.
2. Are you flirting with me?
It’s a good one, isn’t it? Or should I say, so bad it’s brilliant?
I loved and needed this. Thank you. Almost 51 and still don't know how to flirt.
A reader after my own heart.
I seem to recall that when I was 13 and probably long after that too, I was bad at flirting because it was so fraught with multiple possibilities. Will he think I like him? Does he like me? Will flirtation lead to something I want? Or don't want? But your story made me realize that I'm pretty good at it now. A 'Seniorish' happily married lady who enjoys laughing and joking around with most everyone I meet. It's a great way to break the ice and get to know someone. We may or may not become friends, but no strings attached.
Love this, Judy. As we age, we get better at cutting those strings.
"I look like I’d correct his grammar" works with the right man : )
I fpund a man who likes to debate points of grammar.
As someone who’s read Starter Dog, I can say I very much enjoyed the extended version of this exchange. ♥️🐾
You’ll maybe not be surprised to hear that I have been called a consummate flirt. ;)
Oh, I believe it!
I loved this!
Flirting for me is a bit like ultra-violet light or gamma rays—I know it exists, but I can never see it. Do you need special glasses or a headset, I wonder? Thank you for making it visible.
Interesting analogy. If you don’t see it, you probably don’t attract much of it. Glad you enjoyed this.
Of all the talents my wife has, I get the strangest rush from the wolf whistle she can do with two fingers, any fingers or no fingers. Kim's sister, Lynne, can let out a powerful whistle too (even with her always polished and perfect long nails). Years ago, I was walking down Victoria Street and heard a whistle from across the road. Lynne's whistle is so distinct it could have been her voice calling out to me as she was leaving Terroni's. It's the same whistle my dad used at dusk to call us in when we were down by the pond or playing hide n' go seek across the tracks. My friend Suzanne (a former elementary school principal) impressed me long ago when she personally whistled everyone in at recess. As for sing-song whistling, that drives me nuts but a loud wolf whistle that cuts the silence or traffic---that reminds me of my favourite people. And you don't know how to ride a bike??? Always something to be learned and wowed with here, Rona. A+ on this one. Your book inspired me to finally watch The Big Lebowski!
Oh, I hope you enjoyed it. Once was not enough for me.
I absolutely love this! Perhaps some day I will learn to flirt :). Thanks so much!
And whistle? There’s time.
No flirting for me, I barely could talk to a boy and didn’t have a date until college. My oldest sister, on the other hand, was a big flirt and always had a man in her life from a young age. Love this essay!
So there was at least one girl slower off the mark than I was. I went to a couple of proms, but my date was gay. A mixed success, to put it mildly.
You'll appreciate this. Overheard from one of the country club mothers, "And Julie Torti wore a pant suit to the prom." Mixed success for my date as well.
“How old I was at almost 13. I’m younger today than I will ever be. There’s still time to whistle.” I relate to these 3 sentences on such a personal level.
I was born older, cynical and always felt socially awkward. My defensive nature was a shield. Give me a book and leave me to my own devices…especially at 13.
Through counseling I learned that the healthier I became mentally, the more playful and relaxed I became. At 60 years of age, I feel much more comfortable places where it would have been “too people-ly” before. Flirting is an option now!
Brenda, you and I have lived versions of the same story: "Ah, but I was so much older then. I'm younger than that now."